As the tank develops, keeping the white sand white becomes a challenge. I would recomend the option with the smallest volume of filter sand. On top of that, having a physical barrier (plastic or rocks) might be a good initial investment that will reduce frustrations in the future.

The adjustments you made in the left are great. The lower profile on the left gives a better balance to the height of the RHS.

As far as your white sand. I like the canyon/stream but I also like the first pic with no stream. I agree with Rcguerra. So perhaps you can try just contrasting the aquasoil with a gravel of some type with a few larger rock fragments. Much lower maintenance.

TBH I rarely like white sand. So I am biased. However one tank I love has only white sand, or pale sand.

Ha ha! I went through the exact same thing not long ago when I scaped my 2 tanks. I'm just deciding on plants etc now. I have the advantage of not being able to go out and get plants etc. I have to wait because I live 5h from any decent aquarium shop.

What I found was to just decide on something you like and just have a go. You will never get it perfect. But I do try and get it as good as I can.

This has interesting potential... I like the stones on the left side of the path, but the large stones on the right don't seem to balance with the other side. Could you use the large stones on the right side of the path in a similar similar configuration to resemble the angle and composition of the small trio of stones in the far right corner? Then add two flat stones laying to either side, to bring in cohesion with the left side.

Maybe push back the left side a bit and move over everything to the right, to give more of the 1:3 ratio... might look something like this:

I'm attaching my layout...it's partly simply to help me figure out quantities, but I think it will prove to help me in planting as well. If you have a chance, check it out and let me know your thoughts! That'd be greatly appreciated!

I do not know the dimensions of a 40B, but I think you are going to have many more plants than you need. The 30 marsilea will almost certainly be two or three times too much, if you plan to do any spreading out of each basket. Same with your val. I find that rocks take up lots of real estate in the tank and you will find plants go pretty far, especially if you are willing to spread things out a bit. You do not want all the stem plants planted in bunches; plant individual stems. This consumes space.

Oh really?! Wow. Well, my tank is 36"x18". I guess I'll try to fit as much as I can and then give/sell the rest!

Thanks for the feedback, Tom!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomfromstlouis

I do not know the dimensions of a 40B, but I think you are going to have many more plants than you need. The 30 marsilea will almost certainly be two or three times too much, if you plan to do any spreading out of each basket. Same with your val. I find that rocks take up lots of real estate in the tank and you will find plants go pretty far, especially if you are willing to spread things out a bit. You do not want all the stem plants planted in bunches; plant individual stems. This consumes space.

Not that I know anything much about specific plants but the layout looks good.

I think perhaps the stones in the path could be better. I think it's ok, but I would change a few things. I'd make the most of the rocks smaller and only leave a scattering of larger ones. Also perhaps some pieces of the rock you have used in the rest amongst it.

I think you are probably right in you suggestions, Lindsay. Thanks for your input... Much appreciated. It looks like at least some of the plants will arrive tomorrow, so I'll mess around with it today. I don't have any more slate, but maybe if I add a good amount if the smaller pebbles that look somewhat similar, it would have the same effect...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmer

Not that I know anything much about specific plants but the layout looks good.

I think perhaps the stones in the path could be better. I think it's ok, but I would change a few things. I'd make the most of the rocks smaller and only leave a scattering of larger ones. Also perhaps some pieces of the rock you have used in the rest amongst it.

I think you are probably right in you suggestions, Lindsay. Thanks for your input... Much appreciated. It looks like at least some of the plants will arrive tomorrow, so I'll mess around with it today. I don't have any more slate, but maybe if I add a good amount if the smaller pebbles that look somewhat similar, it would have the same effect...

Probably will do. they are a very similar colour by the looks of it. That is one good reason to always have more rocks than you will need. But I'm aware that's not always possible. playing around with your path is at least not too difficult with a filled or partially filled tank so if your plants do come it won't be the end of the world.

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